retrace one's steps

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One is led on and on with a zany Cartesian logic, but one can never retrace one's steps and relate the story coherently.

From Time Magazine Archive

To retrace one's steps, and follow to the end the faintly distinguishable directions, appears to be the essential element in poetic imagination.

From Laughter : an Essay on the Meaning of the Comic by Brereton, Cloudesley Shovell Henry

To retrace one's steps is to lose not only time but confidence.

From How to Get on in the World A Ladder to Practical Success by Calhoon, Major A.R.

Now it was no light matter to have to retrace one's steps back to the butter-shop, as the way was long and the day was very hot.

From The Book of Noodles Stories of Simpletons; or, Fools and Their Follies by Clouston, William Alexander

"The gates of Dis stand open night and day; small trouble it is to descend thereto, but to retrace one's steps, and regain the upper air, there lies the toil."

From National Epics by Rabb, Kate Milner